cannot open source file "afxwin.h"/"afxext.h"/"afxdisp.h"/"afxdtctl.h"/"afxcmn.h"/afxdisp.h etc

Question

I try to ran a previous written MFC c++ code on my visual studio 2015 MFC with multitype MFC library installed.

However, I still have 12 errors here regarding missing function:

IntelliSense: cannot open source file "afxwin.h" C1083 Cannot open include file: 'afxwin.h': No such file or directory cannot open source file "afxext.h"/"afxdisp.h"/"afxdtctl.h"/"afxcmn.h"/afxdisp.h etc....

Where can I get these head files?

Again, my set up is:

VIsual studio 2015 ultimate MFC Multibyte MFC library installed Windows 8 - 64 bit machine

Thanks!

Solution 1

I just fixed a similar problem. Here's how you can resolve this.

1. Go to your control panel
2. Navigate to uninstall/change a program.
3. Scroll down until you see your visual studio installation
4. Click change
5. Once the window pops up, click "Modify"
6. Under Programming Languages -> Visual C++ Make sure "Microsoft Foundation Classes for C++" is checked. If it isn't select it and click update.

Solution 2

For VS2019 the above solutions didn't worked for me. I had to go to "Installer -> Individual Components -> " and install the following to solve the issue:

• "MSVC v141 – VS 2017 C++ x64/x86 build tools (v14.16)"
• "C++ MFC for v141 build tools (x86 & x64)"
• "C++ ATL for v141 build tools (x86 & x64)"

Solution 3

For what it's worth. I was getting similar errors after a fresh installation of VS2017. I installed the C++ features from the main installer and created a new project with MFC checked. I assumed "Microsoft Foundation Classes for C++" was installed by this point, but I kept getting these errors. Furthermore, after saving and closing the solution for the first time, VS wouldn't load the project if I opened the solution from the recently used list because dependencies were missing.

What worked for me

I opened the solution file directly using VS2017. Finally, VS informed me that "Microsoft Foundation Classes for C++" was not installed and gave me the option to install it. I had previously looked through the installer features and could not find this option.

EDIT

Per Vladimir's comment below...

In 2017 Visual Studio Installer it ["Microsoft Foundation Classes for C++"] is under Modify / Individual Components / SDKs... / MFC and ATL support (x86 and x64)

Comments

[Curly]

I found "afxwin.h" under my directory of: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC\atlmfc\include\ How should I include this directory in my code? Thanks!

[cha]

I think all you need to do is to select a proper platform toolset in the VC project property. Should be something like "v140"

[jacobq]

I do not see this option in Visual Studio 2005 (using old version to target legacy Windows CE 6.0 application). Any suggestions for how to install this component in this case?

[Vladimir Shutow]

In 2017 Visual Studio Installer it is under Modify / Individual Components / SDKs... / MFC and ATL support (x86 and x64)

[Chintan]

This has helped me a lot. I spent almost half day searching which version should I install or what components. (y) Thank You @VladimirShutow

[Malachi]

For my scenario, I needed to do this with VS2015 installer even though I am opening project in VS2017/VS2019.

[dab0bby]

For VS2019 Open the Installer, select Modify for your installation and select C++ ATL for latest xxx build tools (xxx) and C++ MFC for latest xxx build tools (xxx) in Individual components. Replace xxx accordingly to your version and platform.

[Juan Rojas]

I have the same error in a project, MFC is installed correctly because another MFC project works just fine. I have compared the settings in both projects with no luck :(

[Jimbo1987]

Make that "Tools -> Get Tools and Features [which opens the VS Installer and selects the VS instance you are currently using] -> Individual Components [the top tab, not the "Individual components" in the right pane]. Check the needed components and click 'Modify". The version ('v141') must match the target framework for the project (Solution Explorer [right-click Project] -> Properties -> Configuration Properties -> General -> Platform Toolset). The three components you identified are found in sections named "Compilers, build tools, and runtimes" and "SDKs, libraries, and frameworks".